Abuja’s Noma centre performs 457 free reconstructive surgeries
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
The Noma Centre at Abuja’s National Hospital has performed 457 free reconstructive surgeries on children affected by noma since its creation. It has treated 321 patients and carried out 208 procedures in 2026, according to Charles Ononiwu, national coordinator of the Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative.
The Noma Centre at the National Hospital in Abuja has treated 321 patients with noma and currently has more than 80 children receiving care. Dr Charles Ononiwu, national coordinator of the Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative, gave the figures on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2026 Oral Health Week, Noma Day and a scientific conference, according to a statement he issued.
The centre conducts an average of 82 consultations per month and carried out 208 surgical procedures in 2026, Charles Ononiwu said. He warned that noma can rapidly destroy facial tissue without treatment and urged parents to seek immediate medical attention in cases of oral pain in children, particularly those aged between two and six.
For advanced cases, reconstructive surgery can cost between 7 million and 10 million naira, the coordinator said. Early treatment can notably involve antibiotics and appropriate nutrition. The centre also covers transport and hospital costs for cases reported through the initiative’s free helpline.
Care involves plastic surgeons, ENT specialists, paediatricians and clinical psychologists, as well as educational and psychological support and vocational training for children and their parents. The centre also receives patients from other African countries, including Mozambique and Burundi, according to Charles Ononiwu.
